
feeling of security there was danger that they might allow seductive doctrines
to lead them astray from Christ. He exhorted them, "Let that therefore
abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning." The testimony of
John and of all the apostles had been based upon the Scriptures of truth. The
believers had accepted the word of God at the mouth of the beloved disciples
and others of the eleven who had been with the Lord Jesus during His ministry.
John desired with all the intenseness of his soul that having accepted Bible
truth, they be not "stony ground" hearers, but that the word of life should
abide in their hearts, and bear fruit unto eternal life. In forgetfulnesg and
neglect of the word there was danger that they be seduced by false doctrines.
And the exhortation of the apostle is timely in this present age, for carelessness
in Bible study or neglect of the Scriptures may open the way to Satan's se-
ductions, to false doctrines, and to consequent apostasy and loss of eternal life.
Doubly important is it to-day that we store God's word in our minds, for the
time will come when we shall not have free access to the Bible as we do now.
7.
What is said of one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? What is the
specific doctrine of Antichrist? Verse 22.
NOTE.—"Little by little, at first in stealth and silence, and then more openly
as it increased in strength and gained control of the minds of men, the mystery,
of iniquity carried forward its deceptive and blasphemous work. Almost im-
perceptibly the customs of heathenism found their way into the Christian
church. The spirit of compromise and conformity was restrained for a time
by the fierce persecutions which the church endured under paganism. But as
persecution ceased, and Christianity entered the courts and palaces of kings,
she laid aside the humble simplicity of Christ and His apostles for the pomp
and pride of pagan priests and rulers; and in place of the requirements of God,
she substituted human theories and traditions. . . . Paganism, while appear-
ing to be vanquished, became the conqueror. Her spirit controlled the church.
Her doctrines, cereinonies, arid superstitions were incorporated into the faith
and worship of the professed followers of Christ."—"The
Great Controversy,"
pp. 49, 50.
A similar transposition is taking place to-day. Some who have been called
away from Antichrist are now denying the incarnation, the divinity, the resur-
rection, of our Lord. Worldliness, a desire for numbers,—the same factors
which led to the apostasy of the early church,—are leading against Christ to-
day. Humanity is exalted into the place of God, and the Christ no longer sits
enthroned in the hearts of His professed followers. It is for such a time as
this, "the last time" (verse 18), that the message of Revelation 14 calls out the
remnant people. They, too, stand in deadly danger, and need to heed the ad-
monition, "Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man'take thy crown." Rev.
3:11.
8.
How close is the relationship between the, Father and the Son?
Verse 23.
NOTE.—"I and My Father are one," says the Saviour. "He that seeth Me
seeth Him that sent Me." John 12:45. "The words that I speak unto you I
speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works."
John 14:10. Throughout His life on earth Christ was constantly emphasizing
His•oneness with the Father; one in thought, in act, in purpose. So here the
apostle makes it clear that there can be no separation of the Father and Son.
He who receives God must acknowledge and receive His Son, Jesus, for "who-
soever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father."
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